Winning First Place on Demo Day

At Northern Arizona University’s Demo Day, student-led startups take the stage to pitch their ventures to a panel of judges from across the state. It’s a competitive, high-energy event designed to spotlight innovation, vision, and real-world impact.

 Among this year’s standout presentations was KOI: Kingdom of Influence, presented by Cathy Ly, cofounder of Unspecified Studios. KOI is a socially conscious game that blends immersive storytelling with the therapeutic framework of DIR Floortime, crafted with guidance from a professional therapist. It offers a supportive and judgment free space for neurodivergent young adults to build confidence and develop social skills through meaningful, reflective gameplay. From wellness-based minigames to personality-driven progression and favorability systems, KOI is designed with purpose at every level. Competing against a field of tech-forward startups including AI productivity tools and emerging apps, Unspecified Studios stood out for both innovation and emotional impact.

 By winning Demo Day, they’ve earned the honor of representing NAU at the Inferno Invitational Startup Cup at ASU on May 19, where top student founders from Arizona will pitch for up to $100,000 in funding and the title of Inferno Cup champions.